Array centrifuge

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a microcentrifuge apparatus adapted to simultaneously spin a plurality of samples contained within a plurality of rotors. The microcentrifuge comprises an upper plate that has a plurality of upper plate holes; and a lower plate that has a plurality of lower plate holes or recesses. The lower plate is adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper plate, and the plurality of lower plate holes or recesses are in axial alignment with the plurality of upper plate holes. The plurality of rotors are adapted for retaining and spinning the plurality of samples, and are positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate. Each of the plurality of rotors has at opposing ends an upper shaft and a lower shaft, wherein the upper shaft engages one of the upper plate holes and the lower shaft engages one of the lower plate holes or recesses such that the axes of rotation of each of the plurality rotors are substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower plates. In addition, each of the rotors has a central outer surface portion positioned between the upper and lower plates, wherein the central outer surface portion is outwardly bulged. The microcentrifuge further comprises a pulley and a drive belt that is operatively engaged with the pulley and the bulged central outer surface portion of each of the plurality of rotors.

We claim:  
     
       1. A micro-array centrifuge, comprising: 
       a lower plate with a plurality of recesses;  
       an upper plate with a plurality of holes;  
       a plurality of rotors, each having a longitudinal axis, top, bottom, side and upper shaft, the side maintaining contact with a drive belt;  
       a cap engaged with the upper shaft to form a seal with the upper plate; and  
       each rotor bottom containing at least one bearing which contacts at least one of the plurality of recesses of the lower plate.  
     
     
       2. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 1  wherein the lower plate comprises a series of strips, each of which is anchored at its ends. 
     
     
       3. A micro-array centrifuge adapted to simultaneously spin a plurality of samples, comprising: 
       an upper plate having a plurality of upper plate holes;  
       a lower plate having a plurality of lower plate holes or recesses, wherein the lower plate is adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper plate, and wherein the plurality of lower plate holes or recesses are in axial alignment with the plurality of upper plate holes;  
       a plurality of rotors for retaining and spinning the plurality of samples, wherein the plurality of rotors are positioned above the upper plate and the lower plate, and wherein each of the plurality of rotors has a container and a shaft projecting therefrom, the container having an opening to receive one of the plurality of samples, the shaft engaging one of the plurality of upper plate holes and one of the plurality of lower plate holes or recesses such that the axis of rotation for each of the plurality of rotors is substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower plates, and wherein each of the plurality of shafts has an outer surface portion; and  
       a drive belt operatively engaged with a motive means and coupled to the outer surface portion of each of the plurality of shafts.  
     
     
       4. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 3 , wherein the outer surface portion of each of the plurality of shafts is positioned between the upper and lower plates. 
     
     
       5. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 3 , wherein the drive belt is directly coupled to the outer surface portion of each of the plurality of shafts. 
     
     
       6. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of pulleys, each engaged with the outer surface portion of at least one of the plurality of shafts, and wherein the drive belt is operatively coupled to the plurality of pulleys. 
     
     
       7. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of pulleys are positioned between the upper and lower plates. 
     
     
       8. A micro-array centrifuge adapted to simultaneously spin a plurality of samples, comprising: 
       an upper plate having a plurality of upper plate holes;  
       a lower plate having a plurality of lower plate holes or recesses, the lower plate being adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper plate, wherein the plurality of lower plate holes or recesses are in axial alignment with the plurality of upper plate hole;  
       a plurality of rotors for retaining and spinning the plurality of samples, the plurality of rotors being positioned above the upper plate and the lower plate; and  
       wherein each of the plurality of rotors has a container and a shaft projecting therefrom, the container having an opening to accept a removable insert that receives a sample, the shaft engaging one of the upper plate holes and one of the lower plate holes or recesses such that the axis of rotation of each of the plurality of rotors is substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower plates; and  
       a drive belt operatively engaged with a motive means and coupled to each of the plurality of rotors.  
     
     
       9. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 8  wherein the shaft of each of the plurality of rotors is positioned between the upper and lower plates. 
     
     
       10. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 8  wherein the shaft of each of the plurality of rotors is positioned below the upper and lower plates. 
     
     
       11. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 8  wherein a void is present between at least a portion of an outer wall of the removable rotor insert and an inner wall of the container. 
     
     
       12. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 8  wherein the removable rotor insert contains at least two separate chambers for receiving the same or different samples. 
     
     
       13. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 8  wherein the drive belt is coupled to each of the plurality of shafts. 
     
     
       14. The micro-array centrifuge of  claim 8  wherein each shaft is coupled to a corresponding pulley, and wherein the drive belt is coupled to each of the plurality of pulleys.